Teardrop Ring Tossing Game

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a game of skill and a game piece generally comprising a single strip having first and second ends, wherein said first and second ends are attached to one another to form a single endless ring having a corner on one side of said ring and a teardrop-shaped opposing side opposite said corner. In some embodiments the ring is a single continuous piece. Alternative embodiments of the present invention call for the game piece to be flexible, and for utilizing attachment mechanisms and curvature retention mechanisms to further adjust and retain the curvature of the ring, all for the purpose of affecting the trajectory of the ring when thrown.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/905,926,filed Oct. 15, 2010, pending, which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game of skill played by one or moreparticipants, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method forplaying a game wherein the participants attempt to throw a ring-shapedobject onto or near a designated target.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A category of games exist wherein the participants attempt to scorepoints by throwing objects onto, or near, a designated target. Thenumber of points earned by each participant is generally determined bythe frequency with which his or her objects contact the target, or inother scenarios, by the proximity of the objects to the target. Aftereach round of play, the participant or team best satisfying the scoringrules of the particular game (such as by having the highest number ofpoints) is deemed the winner.

Horseshoes is one example of such a game. The objective of the game isfor the participants to throw a “horseshoe” onto, or near, a stationaryvertically-inclined pole. The “horseshoe” is an open-ended ring havingtwo legs in close proximity to one another, with an open distancebetween the ends of the legs. When thrown, the shape of the “horseshoe”causes it to travel in a “smooth” trajectory (generally symmetrical onboth sides of a vertical axis centered at the trajectory apex, andhaving progressive changes in altitude along the length of suchtrajectory), while rotating in a circular manner around its centerpoint. The greatest number of points is scored if the “horseshoe” isthrown around the pole, although points are also scored for touching thepole, or landing in close proximity thereto.

Another example is the carnival game of tossing circular rings andattempting to cause them to encircle the top of one of many bottles orother upstanding objects. When tossed toward the target, the sphericalshape of the ring causes it to travel in a smooth trajectory. Points arescored, or prizes are won, if the ring stays on the upstanding object.

Other games provide variations of the same concept, wherein objectsthrown by the participants must contact, or land in close proximity to,the target. Depending upon the particular game, these objects travel inone of two common trajectories—a trajectory (such as when balls orbeanbags are tossed in an underhanded fashion) or a generally horizontaltrajectory (such as the projection of arrows and darts, wherein thevelocity of the object and the proximity of the target allow for minimalgravitational effects).

However, the limited variations of these trajectories allow participantsof one game to gain a certain level of proficiency in a similar gamewithin a short period of time. This ease of proficiency may quickly leadto boredom and a decreased desire to continue playing such games. Inaddition, the smooth trajectories provided by rings or horseshoes oftenmake it difficult to cause them to land such that they encircle theintended upstanding object.

It is therefore desirable to provide new or different features for suchgames in order to stimulate or revitalize interest therein.

It is also desirable to provide a throwable object that provides aunique trajectory that is more conducive to landing on and encircling anupstanding object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an endless ring having a generally teardrop,lemniscates or piriform shape, a point or corner therein, and anoppositely positioned elliptical shape. Since a single corner isprovided, the angle of this corner is often, but not always, determinedby the length of the ring. The particular curvature of one side willdirectly affect the curvature of the opposite and adjacent sides.

In its most basic embodiment, the present invention generally comprisesa single elongate strip of material, wherein the two ends of the stripare attached to one another. The two ends of the strip form a corner orjoint, and the remainder of the strip forms the elliptical ring. Thecorner may be secured by any one or combination of devices fortemporarily or permanently securing two objects to one another, such asa weld or adhesives, or alternatively, the present invention may beformed from a single, continuous piece of material.

One alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes anadjustable end attachment mechanism, to which the two ends of the stripare attached. The adjustable end attachment mechanism may comprisemulti-position interlocking latches or hinges, one or moreinterchangeable or interlocking plates, or any other commonly availablemechanism for securing the ends of the strip and adjusting the angle ofthe corner formed by said ends. Said adjustable end attachment mechanismallows participants to adjust the angle at which the two strip endsmeet, and thereby adjust the shape of the ring.

Another alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes aflexible strip constructed from bendable plastics, rubber, thin metalsor other flexible materials, and a curvature retention mechanism foradjusting the curvature of one or more portions of the body, andretaining the curvature once adjusted. The curvature retention mechanismmay comprise a flexible or inflexible tube, movable or expandableslides, multi-position interlocking latches or hinges, one or moreinterchangeable or interlocking plates, or any other commonly availablemechanism for fixing the curvature of the present invention.Alternatively, said curvature may be retained without a separatecurvature retention mechanism by utilizing a flexible strip that iscapable of retaining its shape once formed.

The purpose of these adjustments, either to the angle at which the twoends of the strip meet, or to the curvature of the present invention, isto allow participants to affect the trajectory of the present inventionwhen the present invention is thrown. This allows participants toutilize trajectories other than the two traditional trajectoriesdescribed above. It is to be appreciated that the present invention mayutilize features from one or both, or none, of the alternativeembodiments, as well as other features.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new ordifferent features for ring-throwing games in order to stimulate orrevitalize interest therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to allow players toaffect the trajectory of a thrown ring by adjusting the shape or lengthof the ring so that its trajectory.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a throwableobject that flies according to a unique trajectory that is moreconducive to landing upon, and encircling, an upstanding object.

Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detaileddescriptions and the claims herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is an illustration of the basic embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 b is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, utilizing an adjustable end attachment mechanism.

FIG. 1 c is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, utilizing a curvature retention mechanism to fix thecurvature of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a is an illustration of a common trajectory used when an object,such as a ball or beanbag, is tossed in an underhanded fashion.

FIG. 2 b is an illustration of one possible trajectory of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referringparticularly to FIG. 1 a, it is seen that the present invention, in itsmost basic embodiment, comprises a single strip of material 10, whereinthe two ends of the strip 10 a and 10 b are attached to form corner 11.The two ends 10 a and 10 b forming corner 11 may be secured by any oneor combination of methods, such as a weld or adhesives. The remainder ofthe strip 10 forms an elliptical ring with an opposing side 12 oppositethe corner 11. In other embodiments, the game piece of the presentinvention may be made of a continuous, integrated piece of materialhaving an open center and at least one angled corner.

It should be appreciated that the particular angle of the corner 11 willaffect the curvature of the present invention. For example, if corner 11is narrowly angled, as depicted in FIG. 1 a, the opposing side 12 willhave a tighter curvature. On the other hand, if corner 11 is widelyangled, the opposing side 12 will have a broader curvature.

FIG. 1 b depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention,comprising a flexible strip 10′ and an adjustable end attachmentmechanism 11′. The adjustable end attachment mechanism 11′ comprises amulti-position interlocking latch or hinge that allows participants toadjust the angle of the mechanism 11′. As with the basic embodimentdescribed above, a narrow angle for mechanism 11′, as depicted in FIG. 1b, will result in a tighter curvature for opposing side 12′ if opposingside 12′ has a lower tensile strength than the remainder of the strip10′, while a wider angle for mechanism 11′ will result in a broadercurvature for opposing side 12′. The flexibility of strip 10′, and theuse of a multi-position mechanism 11′, will allow the present inventionto take on any number of shapes, e.g., an oval-like shape with variousdegrees of curvature along its body if the arms of mechanism 11′ (whichreceive strip ends 10 a′ and 10 b′) are placed at various acute anglesrelative to one another, an oval-like shape with a partially straightside if the arms of mechanism 11′ are placed 180 degrees relative to oneanother, or a heart-like shape if the arms of mechanism 11′ are placedat an obtuse angle relative to one another.

FIG. 1 c depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, comprising a flexible strip 10″, an adjustable end attachmentmechanism 11″, and a curvature retention mechanism 12″. In thisparticular embodiment, the curvature retention mechanism 12″ comprisesan inflexible tube through which the flexible strip 10″ is threaded, andwhich causes the curvature of the present invention to conform to theshape of the curvature retention mechanism 12″. Additional or alternatecurvature retention mechanisms 12″ of different shapes and lengths maybe utilized to further define the shape of the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that a single flexible or otherwise adjustablecurvature retention mechanism 12″ may be utilized in lieu of multiplecurvature retention mechanisms, or alternatively, that a curvatureretention mechanism 12″ may be unnecessary if the flexible strip 10′retains its shape once formed.

The shape of the proposed invention causes it to travel at a modifiedtrajectory when thrown by the participant. Such modification is bestdemonstrated by comparing the trajectory of the proposed invention tothe trajectory of the prior art. FIG. 2 a depicts the trajectory of asoftball. A participant stands at location x₀, and holds the softball ata vertical height of y₀. When the softball is tossed toward the target Tat a certain angle and trajectory, it travels along a smooth trajectory(with due consideration for gravity), crossing the vertical plane y₀again at location x₂. It maintains a predictable trajectory until itcontacts or falls near the target T.

FIG. 2 b depicts the modified trajectory of the present invention,wherein the present invention is in the form generally depicted in FIG.1 a. A participant stands at the same location x₀, and holds the presentinvention at the same vertical height of y₀. The invention is tossedtoward the target T, with or without an axial rotation, at the sameangle and velocity as described with respect to FIG. 2 a. It begins itsarc along the same trajectory depicted in FIG. 2 a. However, the shapeof the present invention, and its rate of axial rotation, causes it tofall short partway through the previous trajectory, resulting in anintersection of vertical plane y_(o) at location x₁, rather than atlocation x₂.

Thus, in order to contact target T with the present invention, theparticipant must adjust his or her throwing trajectory to compensate forthe sudden drop caused by the shape of the present invention. As thetiming and location of the drop will depend upon the shape of thepresent invention as it is used during that particular play, theparticipants must be able to determine the timing of the drop based uponthe shape of the invention. A participant skilled with tossing asoftball (with the trajectory generally depicted in FIG. 2 a) will notnecessarily have an advantage when tossing the present invention, asthere may be many varying potential trajectories based upon theparticular shape of the invention during that particular play.Furthermore, such a drop may be advantageous in the playing of carnivalor other games in that the present invention may be thrown such that itneatly drops over an upstanding object.

In use, participants in a game utilizing the present invention asdepicted in FIG. 1 c, would position the arms of the adjustable endattachment mechanism 11′ at an angle determined in any number of ways,e.g. randomly, according to a particular playbook, or by a consensus ofthe participants. The participants would also attach a curvatureretention mechanism 13 to the opposing side 12. Upon preparing thepresent invention in such a manner, the participants will commence thegame using the particular rules established for that game, which maycomprise the commonly known rules for horseshoes, the carnival ring tossgame, or any other number of games.

It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of thepresent invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof.It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to belimited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only inaccordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoingspecification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing entertainment comprisingthe step of throwing a game piece in a lateral direction with the objectof causing the game piece to land in a certain place, said game piececomprising a single continuous open-ended teardrop-shaped ring formedfrom a flat strip that is bendable in a first plane but not bendable ina second plane perpendicular to said first plane, said strip havingopposite ends that are attached to each other forming a corner, saidpiece having an open interior such that said game piece travels in anon-parabolic trajectory when thrown.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthrowing the game piece comprises axially rotating the game piece in thefirst plane.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the axial rotationresults in a sharp downward change in a trajectory of the thrown gamepiece.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting an angleof the corner, wherein adjusting the angle of the corner influences atrajectory of the thrown game piece.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe opposite ends of the strip are attached by an adjustable jointhaving an angle that is adjustable within the first plane.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein said strip is deformable to adjust an interior angleof the corner.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the deformability ofsaid strip at a side opposite to the corner is greater than thedeformability of the rest of said strip.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein said game piece has a generally piriform cross-sectional shape.9. The method of claim 1 wherein said game piece has a generallylemniscates cross-sectional shape.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe corner has an interior angle of less than about one hundred degrees.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of said gamepiece is at a different location than the geometric center of said gamepiece.
 12. A method of providing entertainment comprising the steps of:a. making a first throw of a game piece at a first velocity with theobject of causing the game piece to land at a targeted place, the gamepiece comprising a single continuous tear drop-shaped ring formed from aflat strip that is bendable in a first plane but not bendable in asecond plane perpendicular to said first plane, said strip havingopposite ends that are attached to each other forming a corner, the gamepiece having an open interior such that said game piece travels in anon-parabolic trajectory when thrown; b. observing where said game piecelands in comparison to said targeted place following said throw; and c.making a second throw of one of said game piece or an identical gamepiece at a second velocity to land closer to said targeted place. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein an axial rotation is imparted to saidgame piece during said first throw.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereinan axial rotation is imparted to said game piece during said secondthrow.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein a first axial rotation isimparted to said game piece during said first throw, and a second axialrotation is imparted to said game piece during said second throw. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the same axial rotation is imparted tosaid game piece during said first throw, and during said second throw.17. The method of claim 12, wherein the center of gravity of said gamepiece is at a different location than the geometric center of said gamepiece.
 18. A method of providing entertainment comprising throwing agame piece with the object of contacting a target, the game piececomprising a flat strip of material, the ends of which are connected atan acute angle to form a tear-drop cross-sectional shape with an openinterior, wherein throwing the game piece includes inducing axialrotation in the first plane and the thrown game piece travels in anon-parabolic trajectory when thrown.